Touch screen device, method, and graphical user interface for manipulating three-dimensional virtual objects

ABSTRACT

An electronic device with a touch screen display, a computer-implemented method, and a graphical user interface for navigating in three-dimensional virtual spaces and manipulating three-dimensional objects in the virtual spaces using simple finger gestures are disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/060,116, “Touch Screen Device, Method, and Graphical UserInterface for Manipulating Three-Dimensional Virtual Objects,” filedJun. 9, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

This application is related to the following applications: (1) U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/188,182, “Touch Pad For Handheld Device,”filed Jul. 1, 2002; (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/722,948,“Touch Pad For Handheld Device,” filed Nov. 25, 2003; (3) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/643,256, “Movable Touch Pad With AddedFunctionality,” filed Aug. 18, 2003; (4) U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/654,108, “Ambidextrous Mouse,” filed Sep. 2, 2003; (5) U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/840,862, “Multipoint Touchscreen,” filedMay 6, 2004; (6) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/903,964, “GesturesFor Touch Sensitive Input Devices,” filed Jul. 30, 2004; (7) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/038,590, “Mode-Based Graphical User InterfacesFor Touch Sensitive Input Devices” filed Jan. 18, 2005; (8) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/057,050, “Display Actuator,” filed Feb. 11,2005; (9) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/367,749, “Multi-FunctionalHand-Held Device,” filed Mar. 3, 2006; and (10) U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/850,635, “Touch Screen Device, Method, and Graphical UserInterface for Determining Commands by Applying Heuristics,” filed Sep.5, 2007. All of these applications are incorporated by reference hereinin their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed embodiments relate generally to electronic devices withtouch screen displays, and more particularly, to electronic devices withtouch screen displays that display three-dimensional virtual objects.

BACKGROUND

As portable electronic devices become more compact, and the number offunctions performed by a given device increase, it has become asignificant challenge to design a user interface that allows users toeasily interact with a multifunction device. This challenge isparticular significant for handheld portable devices, which have muchsmaller screens than desktop or laptop computers. This situation isunfortunate because the user interface is the gateway through whichusers receive not only content but also responses to user actions orbehaviors, including user attempts to access a device's features, tools,and functions. Some portable communication devices (e.g., mobiletelephones, sometimes called mobile phones, cell phones, cellulartelephones, and the like) have resorted to adding more pushbuttons,increasing the density of push buttons, overloading the functions ofpushbuttons, or using complex menu systems to allow a user to access,store and manipulate data. These conventional user interfaces oftenresult in complicated key sequences and menu hierarchies that must bememorized by the user.

Many conventional user interfaces, such as those that include physicalpushbuttons, are also inflexible. This may prevent a user interface frombeing configured and/or adapted by either an application running on theportable device or by users. When coupled with the time consumingrequirement to memorize multiple key sequences and menu hierarchies, andthe difficulty in activating a desired pushbutton, such inflexibility isfrustrating to most users.

For electronic devices that display a three-dimensional virtual space onthe touch screen display, present user interfaces for navigating in thevirtual space and manipulating three-dimensional objects in the virtualspace are too complex and cumbersome. These problems are exacerbated onportable electronic devices because of their small screen sizes.

Accordingly, there is a need for electronic devices with touch screendisplays that provide more transparent and intuitive user interfaces fornavigating in three-dimensional virtual spaces and manipulatingthree-dimensional objects in these virtual spaces. Such interfacesincrease the effectiveness, efficiency and user satisfaction with suchdevices.

SUMMARY

The above deficiencies and other problems associated with userinterfaces for electronic devices with touch screen displays are reducedor eliminated by the disclosed multifunction device. In someembodiments, the device is portable. In some embodiments, the device hasa touch-sensitive display (also known as a “touch screen”) with agraphical user interface (GUI), one or more processors, memory and oneor more modules, programs or sets of instructions stored in the memoryfor performing multiple functions. In some embodiments, the userinteracts with the GUI primarily through finger contacts and gestures onthe touch-sensitive display. In some embodiments, the functions mayinclude gaming, telephoning, video conferencing, e-mailing, instantmessaging, blogging, digital photographing, digital videoing, webbrowsing, digital music playing, and/or digital video playing.Instructions for performing these functions may be included in acomputer readable storage medium or other computer program productconfigured for execution by one or more processors.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computer-implemented method isperformed at a portable electronic device with a touch screen display.The computer-implemented method includes displaying a first perspectivein a three-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display. Thethree-dimensional virtual space includes a plurality ofthree-dimensional virtual objects. The computer-implemented method alsoincludes: detecting a first finger gesture on a first three-dimensionalvirtual object in the plurality of three-dimensional objects; and inresponse to detecting the first finger gesture on the firstthree-dimensional virtual object, displaying an animated transition fromthe first perspective to a second perspective in the three-dimensionalvirtual space on the touch screen display. The animated transitionincludes enlarging and centering (or substantially centering) the firstthree-dimensional virtual object on the touch screen display in thesecond perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space. The secondperspective is different from the first perspective.

In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface on aportable electronic device with a touch screen display includes athree-dimensional virtual space that includes a plurality ofthree-dimensional virtual objects. In response to detecting a firstfinger gesture on a first three-dimensional virtual object in theplurality of three-dimensional objects, an animated transition from afirst perspective to a second perspective in the three-dimensionalvirtual space is displayed on the touch screen display. The animatedtransition includes enlarging and centering (or substantially centering)the first three-dimensional virtual object on the touch screen displayin the second perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space. Thesecond perspective is different from the first perspective.

In accordance with some embodiments, a portable electronic deviceincludes: a touch screen display; one or more processors; memory; andone or more programs. The one or more programs are stored in the memoryand configured to be executed by the one or more processors. The one ormore programs include instructions for: displaying a first perspectivein a three-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display,wherein the three-dimensional virtual space includes a plurality ofthree-dimensional virtual objects; detecting a first finger gesture on afirst three-dimensional virtual object in the plurality ofthree-dimensional objects; and in response to detecting the first fingergesture on the first three-dimensional virtual object, displaying ananimated transition from the first perspective to a second perspectivein the three-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display. Theanimated transition includes enlarging and centering (or substantiallycentering) the first three-dimensional virtual object on the touchscreen display in the second perspective in the three-dimensionalvirtual space. The second perspective is different from the firstperspective.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage mediumhas stored therein instructions, which when executed by a portableelectronic device with a touch screen display, cause the portablemultifunction device to: display a first perspective in athree-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display, wherein thethree-dimensional virtual space includes a plurality ofthree-dimensional virtual objects; detect a first finger gesture on afirst three-dimensional virtual object in the plurality ofthree-dimensional objects; and in response to detecting the first fingergesture on the first three-dimensional virtual object, display ananimated transition from the first perspective to a second perspectivein the three-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display. Theanimated transition includes enlarging and centering (or substantiallycentering) the first three-dimensional virtual object on the touchscreen display in the second perspective in the three-dimensionalvirtual space. The second perspective is different from the firstperspective.

In accordance with some embodiments, a portable electronic deviceincludes: a touch screen display; means for displaying a firstperspective in a three-dimensional virtual space on the touch screendisplay, wherein the three-dimensional virtual space includes aplurality of three-dimensional virtual objects; means for detecting afirst finger gesture on a first three-dimensional virtual object in theplurality of three-dimensional objects; and means for, in response todetecting the first finger gesture on the first three-dimensionalvirtual object, displaying an animated transition from the firstperspective to a second perspective in the three-dimensional virtualspace on the touch screen display. The animated transition includesenlarging and centering (or substantially centering) the firstthree-dimensional virtual object on the touch screen display in thesecond perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space. The secondperspective is different from the first perspective.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computer-implemented method isperformed at a portable electronic device with a touch screen display.The computer-implemented method includes: displaying a first perspectivein a three-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display,wherein the three-dimensional virtual space includes a plurality ofthree-dimensional virtual objects; detecting a multi-finger swipegesture on a first three-dimensional virtual object in the plurality ofthree-dimensional virtual objects; and in response to detecting themulti-finger swipe gesture: if the multi-finger swipe gesture initiallymoves within a predetermined angle of being perfectly vertical withrespect to the touch screen display, displaying an animated rotation ofthe first three-dimensional virtual object about a horizontal axis withrespect to the touch screen display while maintaining display of thefirst perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space; and if themulti-finger swipe gesture initially moves within a predetermined angleof being perfectly horizontal with respect to the touch screen display,displaying an animated rotation of the first three-dimensional virtualobject about a vertical axis with respect to the touch screen displaywhile maintaining display of the first perspective in thethree-dimensional virtual space.

In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface on aportable electronic device with a touch screen display includes a firstperspective in a three-dimensional virtual space that includes aplurality of three-dimensional virtual objects. In response to detectinga multi-finger swipe gesture on a first three-dimensional virtual objectin the plurality of three-dimensional objects: if the multi-finger swipegesture initially moves within a predetermined angle of being perfectlyvertical with respect to the touch screen display, an animated rotationof the first three-dimensional virtual object about a horizontal axiswith respect to the touch screen display is displayed while maintainingdisplay of the first perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space;and if the multi-finger swipe gesture initially moves within apredetermined angle of being perfectly horizontal with respect to thetouch screen display, an animated rotation of the firstthree-dimensional virtual object about a vertical axis with respect tothe touch screen display is displayed while maintaining display of thefirst perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space.

In accordance with some embodiments, a portable electronic deviceincludes: a touch screen display; one or more processors; memory; andone or more programs. The one or more programs are stored in the memoryand configured to be executed by the one or more processors. The one ormore programs include instructions for: displaying a first perspectivein a three-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display,wherein the three-dimensional virtual space includes a plurality ofthree-dimensional virtual objects; detecting a multi-finger swipegesture on a first three-dimensional virtual object in the plurality ofthree-dimensional objects; and in response to detecting the multi-fingerswipe gesture: if the multi-finger swipe gesture initially moves withina predetermined angle of being perfectly vertical with respect to thetouch screen display, displaying an animated rotation of the firstthree-dimensional virtual object about a horizontal axis with respect tothe touch screen display while maintaining display of the firstperspective in the three-dimensional virtual space; and if themulti-finger swipe gesture initially moves within a predetermined angleof being perfectly horizontal with respect to the touch screen display,displaying an animated rotation of the first three-dimensional virtualobject about a vertical axis with respect to the touch screen displaywhile maintaining display of the first perspective in thethree-dimensional virtual space.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage mediumhas stored therein instructions, which when executed by a portableelectronic device with a touch screen display, cause the portableelectronic device to: display a first perspective in a three-dimensionalvirtual space on the touch screen display, wherein the three-dimensionalvirtual space includes a plurality of three-dimensional virtual objects;detect a multi-finger swipe gesture on a first three-dimensional virtualobject in the plurality of three-dimensional objects; and in response todetecting the multi-finger swipe gesture: if the multi-finger swipegesture initially moves within a predetermined angle of being perfectlyvertical with respect to the touch screen display, display an animatedrotation of the first three-dimensional virtual object about ahorizontal axis with respect to the touch screen display whilemaintaining display of the first perspective in the three-dimensionalvirtual space; and if the multi-finger swipe gesture initially moveswithin a predetermined angle of being perfectly horizontal with respectto the touch screen display, display an animated rotation of the firstthree-dimensional virtual object about a vertical axis with respect tothe touch screen display while maintaining display of the firstperspective in the three-dimensional virtual space.

In accordance with some embodiments, a portable electronic deviceincludes: a touch screen display; means for displaying a firstperspective in a three-dimensional virtual space on the touch screendisplay, wherein the three-dimensional virtual space includes aplurality of three-dimensional virtual objects; means for detecting amulti-finger swipe gesture on a first three-dimensional virtual objectin the plurality of three-dimensional objects; and in response todetecting the multi-finger swipe gesture: if the multi-finger swipegesture initially moves within a predetermined angle of being perfectlyvertical with respect to the touch screen display, means for displayingan animated rotation of the first three-dimensional virtual object abouta horizontal axis with respect to the touch screen display whilemaintaining display of the first perspective in the three-dimensionalvirtual space; and if the multi-finger swipe gesture initially moveswithin a predetermined angle of being perfectly horizontal with respectto the touch screen display, means for displaying an animated rotationof the first three-dimensional virtual object about a vertical axis withrespect to the touch screen display while maintaining display of thefirst perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space.

Thus, the invention provides an intuitive, easy-to-use interface on anelectronic device with a touch screen display for navigating inthree-dimensional virtual spaces and manipulating objects in thesevirtual spaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the aforementioned embodiments of theinvention as well as additional embodiments thereof, reference should bemade to the Description of Embodiments below, in conjunction with thefollowing drawings in which like reference numerals refer tocorresponding parts throughout the figures.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are block diagrams illustrating portable multifunctiondevices with touch-sensitive displays in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device having a touch screenin accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate exemplary user interfaces for unlocking aportable electronic device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate exemplary user interfaces for a menu ofapplications on a portable multifunction device in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5L illustrate exemplary user interfaces for navigating in athree-dimensional virtual space and manipulating three-dimensionalvirtual objects in the virtual space in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6M are flow diagrams illustrating a method of navigating in athree-dimensional virtual space and manipulating three-dimensionalvirtual objects in the virtual space in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 7A-7C are flow diagrams illustrating a method of rotating athree-dimensional virtual object in a three-dimensional virtual space inaccordance with some embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present inventionmay be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks havenot been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspectsof the embodiments.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first gesture could be termed asecond gesture, and, similarly, a second gesture could be termed a firstgesture, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is notintended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description ofthe invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that theterm “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and allpossible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Itwill be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or“comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence ofstated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon”or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” dependingon the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [astated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upondetermining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [thestated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the statedcondition or event],” depending on the context.

Embodiments of a portable multifunction device, user interfaces for suchdevices, and associated processes for using such devices are described.In some embodiments, the device is a portable communications device suchas a mobile telephone that also contains other functions, such as PDAand/or music player functions.

The user interface may include a physical click wheel in addition to atouch screen or a virtual click wheel displayed on the touch screen. Aclick wheel is a user-interface device that may provide navigationcommands based on an angular displacement of the wheel or a point ofcontact with the wheel by a user of the device. A click wheel may alsobe used to provide a user command corresponding to selection of one ormore items, for example, when the user of the device presses down on atleast a portion of the wheel or the center of the wheel. Alternatively,breaking contact with a click wheel image on a touch screen surface mayindicate a user command corresponding to selection. For simplicity, inthe discussion that follows, a portable multifunction device thatincludes a touch screen is used as an exemplary embodiment. It should beunderstood, however, that some of the user interfaces and associatedprocesses may be applied to other devices, such as personal computersand laptop computers, which may include one or more other physicaluser-interface devices, such as a physical click wheel, a physicalkeyboard, a mouse and/or a joystick.

The device supports a variety of applications, such as one or more ofthe following: a game application, a telephone application, a videoconferencing application, an e-mail application, an instant messagingapplication, a blogging application, a photo management application, adigital camera application, a digital video camera application, a webbrowsing application, a digital music player application, and/or adigital video player application.

The various applications that may be executed on the device may use atleast one common physical user-interface device, such as the touchscreen. One or more functions of the touch screen as well ascorresponding information displayed on the device may be adjusted and/orvaried from one application to the next and/or within a respectiveapplication. In this way, a common physical architecture (such as thetouch screen) of the device may support the variety of applications withuser interfaces that are intuitive and transparent.

The user interfaces may include one or more soft keyboard embodiments.The soft keyboard embodiments may include standard (QWERTY) and/ornon-standard configurations of symbols on the displayed icons of thekeyboard, such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/459,606, “Keyboards For Portable Electronic Devices,” filed Jul. 24,2006, and Ser. No. 11/459,615, “Touch Screen Keyboards For PortableElectronic Devices,” filed Jul. 24, 2006, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The keyboardembodiments may include a reduced number of icons (or soft keys)relative to the number of keys in existing physical keyboards, such asthat for a typewriter. This may make it easier for users to select oneor more icons in the keyboard, and thus, one or more correspondingsymbols. The keyboard embodiments may be adaptive. For example,displayed icons may be modified in accordance with user actions, such asselecting one or more icons and/or one or more corresponding symbols.One or more applications on the portable device may utilize commonand/or different keyboard embodiments. Thus, the keyboard embodimentused may be tailored to at least some of the applications. In someembodiments, one or more keyboard embodiments may be tailored to arespective user. For example, one or more keyboard embodiments may betailored to a respective user based on a word usage history(lexicography, slang, individual usage) of the respective user. Some ofthe keyboard embodiments may be adjusted to reduce a probability of auser error when selecting one or more icons, and thus one or moresymbols, when using the soft keyboard embodiments.

Attention is now directed towards embodiments of the device. FIGS. 1Aand 1B are block diagrams illustrating portable multifunction devices100 with touch-sensitive displays 112 in accordance with someembodiments. The touch-sensitive display 112 is sometimes called a“touch screen” for convenience, and may also be known as or called atouch-sensitive display system. The device 100 may include a memory 102(which may include one or more computer readable storage mediums), amemory controller 122, one or more processing units (CPU's) 120, aperipherals interface 118, RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, aspeaker 111, a microphone 113, an input/output (I/O) subsystem 106,other input or control devices 116, and an external port 124. The device100 may include one or more optical sensors 164. These components maycommunicate over one or more communication buses or signal lines 103.

It should be appreciated that the device 100 is only one example of aportable multifunction device 100, and that the device 100 may have moreor fewer components than shown, may combine two or more components, or amay have a different configuration or arrangement of the components. Thevarious components shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B may be implemented inhardware, software or a combination of both hardware and software,including one or more signal processing and/or application specificintegrated circuits.

Memory 102 may include high-speed random access memory and may alsoinclude non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storagedevices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memorydevices. Access to memory 102 by other components of the device 100,such as the CPU 120 and the peripherals interface 118, may be controlledby the memory controller 122.

The peripherals interface 118 couples the input and output peripheralsof the device to the CPU 120 and memory 102. The one or more processors120 run or execute various software programs and/or sets of instructionsstored in memory 102 to perform various functions for the device 100 andto process data.

In some embodiments, the peripherals interface 118, the CPU 120, and thememory controller 122 may be implemented on a single chip, such as achip 104. In some other embodiments, they may be implemented on separatechips.

The RF (radio frequency) circuitry 108 receives and sends RF signals,also called electromagnetic signals. The RF circuitry 108 convertselectrical signals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates withcommunications networks and other communications devices via theelectromagnetic signals. The RF circuitry 108 may include well-knowncircuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited toan antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner,one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, asubscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. The RFcircuitry 108 may communicate with networks, such as the Internet, alsoreferred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wirelessnetwork, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local areanetwork (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and otherdevices by wireless communication. The wireless communication may useany of a plurality of communications standards, protocols andtechnologies, including but not limited to Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), high-speeddownlink packet access (HSDPA), wideband code division multiple access(W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multipleaccess (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a,IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/or IEEE 802.11n), voice over InternetProtocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocol for email (e.g., Internet messageaccess protocol (IMAP) and/or post office protocol (POP)), instantmessaging (e.g., extensible messaging and presence protocol (XMPP),Session Initiation Protocol for Instant Messaging and PresenceLeveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), and/or Instant Messaging and PresenceService (IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS)), or any othersuitable communication protocol, including communication protocols notyet developed as of the filing date of this document.

The audio circuitry 110, the speaker 111, and the microphone 113 providean audio interface between a user and the device 100. The audiocircuitry 110 receives audio data from the peripherals interface 118,converts the audio data to an electrical signal, and transmits theelectrical signal to the speaker 111. The speaker 111 converts theelectrical signal to human-audible sound waves. The audio circuitry 110also receives electrical signals converted by the microphone 113 fromsound waves. The audio circuitry 110 converts the electrical signal toaudio data and transmits the audio data to the peripherals interface 118for processing. Audio data may be retrieved from and/or transmitted tomemory 102 and/or the RF circuitry 108 by the peripherals interface 118.In some embodiments, the audio circuitry 110 also includes a headsetjack (e.g. 212, FIG. 2). The headset jack provides an interface betweenthe audio circuitry 110 and removable audio input/output peripherals,such as output-only headphones or a headset with both output (e.g., aheadphone for one or both ears) and input (e.g., a microphone).

The I/O subsystem 106 couples input/output peripherals on the device100, such as the touch screen 112 and other input/control devices 116,to the peripherals interface 118. The I/O subsystem 106 may include adisplay controller 156 and one or more input controllers 160 for otherinput or control devices. The one or more input controllers 160receive/send electrical signals from/to other input or control devices116. The other input/control devices 116 may include physical buttons(e.g., push buttons, rocker buttons, etc.), dials, slider switches,joysticks, click wheels, and so forth. In some alternate embodiments,input controller(s) 160 may be coupled to any (or none) of thefollowing: a keyboard, infrared port, USB port, and a pointer devicesuch as a mouse. The one or more buttons (e.g., 208, FIG. 2) may includean up/down button for volume control of the speaker 111 and/or themicrophone 113. The one or more buttons may include a push button (e.g.,206, FIG. 2). A quick press of the push button may disengage a lock ofthe touch screen 112 or begin a process that uses gestures on the touchscreen to unlock the device, as described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/322,549, “Unlocking a Device by Performing Gestures on anUnlock Image,” filed Dec. 23, 2005, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. A longer press of the push button (e.g., 206)may turn power to the device 100 on or off. The user may be able tocustomize a functionality of one or more of the buttons. The touchscreen 112 is used to implement virtual or soft buttons and one or moresoft keyboards.

The touch-sensitive touch screen 112 provides an input interface and anoutput interface between the device and a user. The display controller156 receives and/or sends electrical signals from/to the touch screen112. The touch screen 112 displays visual output to the user. The visualoutput may include graphics, text, icons, video, and any combinationthereof (collectively termed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some orall of the visual output may correspond to user-interface objects,further details of which are described below.

A touch screen 112 has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set ofsensors that accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactilecontact. The touch screen 112 and the display controller 156 (along withany associated modules and/or sets of instructions in memory 102) detectcontact (and any movement or breaking of the contact) on the touchscreen 112 and converts the detected contact into interaction withuser-interface objects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, web pages orimages) that are displayed on the touch screen. In an exemplaryembodiment, a point of contact between a touch screen 112 and the usercorresponds to a finger of the user.

The touch screen 112 may use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, orLPD (light emitting polymer display) technology, although other displaytechnologies may be used in other embodiments. The touch screen 112 andthe display controller 156 may detect contact and any movement orbreaking thereof using any of a plurality of touch sensing technologiesnow known or later developed, including but not limited to capacitive,resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave technologies, as well asother proximity sensor arrays or other elements for determining one ormore points of contact with a touch screen 112. In some embodiments, thecapacitive sensing technology uses mutual capacitance sensing. In someembodiments, the capacitive sensing technology uses projected mutualcapacitance sensing.

A touch-sensitive display in some embodiments of the touch screen 112may be analogous to the multi-touch sensitive tablets described in thefollowing U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,846 (Westerman et al.), U.S. Pat. No.6,570,557 (Westerman et al.), and/or U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,932(Westerman), and/or U.S. Patent Publication 2002/0015024A1, each ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. However, atouch screen 112 displays visual output from the portable device 100,whereas touch sensitive tablets do not provide visual output.

A touch-sensitive display in some embodiments of the touch screen 112may be as described in the following applications: (1) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/381,313, “Multipoint Touch Surface Controller,”filed May 2, 2006; (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/840,862,“Multipoint Touchscreen,” filed May 6, 2004; (3) U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/903,964, “Gestures For Touch Sensitive Input Devices,” filedJul. 30, 2004; (4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/048,264,“Gestures For Touch Sensitive Input Devices,” filed Jan. 31, 2005; (5)U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/038,590, “Mode-Based Graphical UserInterfaces For Touch Sensitive Input Devices,” filed Jan. 18, 2005; (6)U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/228,758, “Virtual Input DevicePlacement On A Touch Screen User Interface,” filed Sep. 16, 2005; (7)U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/228,700, “Operation Of A ComputerWith A Touch Screen Interface,” filed Sep. 16, 2005; (8) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/228,737, “Activating Virtual Keys Of ATouch-Screen Virtual Keyboard,” filed Sep. 16, 2005; and (9) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/367,749, “Multi-Functional Hand-Held Device,”filed Mar. 3, 2006. All of these applications are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

The touch screen 112 may have a resolution in excess of 100 dpi. In anexemplary embodiment, the touch screen has a resolution of approximately160 dpi. The user may make contact with the touch screen 112 using anysuitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger, and so forth.In some embodiments, the user interface is designed to work primarilywith finger-based contacts and gestures, which are much less precisethan stylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of a finger onthe touch screen. In some embodiments, the device translates the roughfinger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position or command forperforming the actions desired by the user.

In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, the device 100 mayinclude a touchpad (not shown) for activating or deactivating particularfunctions. In some embodiments, the touchpad is a touch-sensitive areaof the device that, unlike the touch screen, does not display visualoutput. The touchpad may be a touch-sensitive surface that is separatefrom the touch screen 112 or an extension of the touch-sensitive surfaceformed by the touch screen.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may include a physical or virtualclick wheel as an input control device 116. A user may navigate amongand interact with one or more graphical objects (henceforth referred toas icons) displayed in the touch screen 112 by rotating the click wheelor by moving a point of contact with the click wheel (e.g., where theamount of movement of the point of contact is measured by its angulardisplacement with respect to a center point of the click wheel). Theclick wheel may also be used to select one or more of the displayedicons. For example, the user may press down on at least a portion of theclick wheel or an associated button. User commands and navigationcommands provided by the user via the click wheel may be processed by aninput controller 160 as well as one or more of the modules and/or setsof instructions in memory 102. For a virtual click wheel, the clickwheel and click wheel controller may be part of the touch screen 112 andthe display controller 156, respectively. For a virtual click wheel, theclick wheel may be either an opaque or semitransparent object thatappears and disappears on the touch screen display in response to userinteraction with the device. In some embodiments, a virtual click wheelis displayed on the touch screen of a portable multifunction device andoperated by user contact with the touch screen.

The device 100 also includes a power system 162 for powering the variouscomponents. The power system 162 may include a power management system,one or more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current (AC)), arecharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converteror inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode(LED)) and any other components associated with the generation,management and distribution of power in portable devices.

The device 100 may also include one or more optical sensors 164. FIGS.1A and 1B show an optical sensor coupled to an optical sensor controller158 in I/O subsystem 106. The optical sensor 164 may includecharge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor(CMOS) phototransistors. The optical sensor 164 receives light from theenvironment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the lightto data representing an image. In conjunction with an imaging module 143(also called a camera module), the optical sensor 164 may capture stillimages or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is located onthe back of the device 100, opposite the touch screen display 112 on thefront of the device, so that the touch screen display may be used as aviewfinder for either still and/or video image acquisition. In someembodiments, an optical sensor is located on the front of the device sothat the user's image may be obtained for videoconferencing while theuser views the other video conference participants on the touch screendisplay. In some embodiments, the position of the optical sensor 164 canbe changed by the user (e.g., by rotating the lens and the sensor in thedevice housing) so that a single optical sensor 164 may be used alongwith the touch screen display for both video conferencing and stilland/or video image acquisition.

The device 100 may also include one or more proximity sensors 166. FIGS.1A and 1B show a proximity sensor 166 coupled to the peripheralsinterface 118. Alternately, the proximity sensor 166 may be coupled toan input controller 160 in the I/O subsystem 106. The proximity sensor166 may perform as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/241,839, “Proximity Detector In Handheld Device”; Ser. No.11/240,788, “Proximity Detector In Handheld Device”; Ser. No.11/620,702, “Using Ambient Light Sensor To Augment Proximity SensorOutput”; Ser. No. 11/586,862, “Automated Response To And Sensing Of UserActivity In Portable Devices”; and Ser. No. 11/638,251, “Methods AndSystems For Automatic Configuration Of Peripherals,” which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety. In some embodiments, theproximity sensor turns off and disables the touch screen 112 when themultifunction device is placed near the user's ear (e.g., when the useris making a phone call). In some embodiments, the proximity sensor keepsthe screen off when the device is in the user's pocket, purse, or otherdark area to prevent unnecessary battery drainage when the device is alocked state.

The device 100 may also include one or more accelerometers 168. FIGS. 1Aand 1B show an accelerometer 168 coupled to the peripherals interface118. Alternately, the accelerometer 168 may be coupled to an inputcontroller 160 in the I/O subsystem 106. The accelerometer 168 mayperform as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20050190059,“Acceleration-based Theft Detection System for Portable ElectronicDevices,” and U.S. Patent Publication No. 20060017692, “Methods AndApparatuses For Operating A Portable Device Based On An Accelerometer,”both of which are which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety. In some embodiments, information is displayed on the touchscreen display in a portrait view or a landscape view based on ananalysis of data received from the one or more accelerometers.

In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory 102 mayinclude an operating system 126, a communication module (or set ofinstructions) 128, a contact/motion module (or set of instructions) 130,a graphics module (or set of instructions) 132, a text input module (orset of instructions) 134, a Global Positioning System (GPS) module (orset of instructions) 135, and applications (or set of instructions) 136.

The operating system 126 (e.g., Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X,WINDOWS, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks) includesvarious software components and/or drivers for controlling and managinggeneral system tasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control,power management, etc.) and facilitates communication between varioushardware and software components.

The communication module 128 facilitates communication with otherdevices over one or more external ports 124 and also includes varioussoftware components for handling data received by the RF circuitry 108and/or the external port 124. The external port 124 (e.g., UniversalSerial Bus (USB), FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly toother devices or indirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wirelessLAN, etc.). In some embodiments, the external port is a multi-pin (e.g.,30-pin) connector that is the same as, or similar to and/or compatiblewith the 30-pin connector used on iPod (trademark of Apple Computer,Inc.) devices.

The contact/motion module 130 may detect contact with the touch screen112 (in conjunction with the display controller 156) and other touchsensitive devices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel). Thecontact/motion module 130 includes various software components forperforming various operations related to detection of contact, such asdetermining if contact has occurred, determining if there is movement ofthe contact and tracking the movement across the touch screen 112, anddetermining if the contact has been broken (i.e., if the contact hasceased). Determining movement of the point of contact may includedetermining speed (magnitude), velocity (magnitude and direction),and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitude and/or direction) of thepoint of contact. These operations may be applied to single contacts(e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiple simultaneous contacts (e.g.,“multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). In some embodiments, thecontact/motion module 130 and the display controller 156 also detectscontact on a touchpad. In some embodiments, the contact/motion module130 and the controller 160 detects contact on a click wheel.

The graphics module 132 includes various known software components forrendering and displaying graphics on the touch screen 112, includingcomponents for changing the intensity of graphics that are displayed. Asused herein, the term “graphics” includes any object that can bedisplayed to a user, including without limitation text, web pages, icons(such as user-interface objects including soft keys), digital images,videos, animations and the like.

The text input module 134, which may be a component of graphics module132, provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications(e.g., contacts 137, e-mail 140, IM 141, blogging 142, browser 147, andany other application that needs text input).

The GPS module 135 determines the location of the device and providesthis information for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone 138for use in location-based dialing, to camera 143 and/or blogger 142 aspicture/video metadata, and to applications that provide location-basedservices such as weather widgets, local yellow page widgets, andmap/navigation widgets).

The applications 136 may include the following modules (or sets ofinstructions), or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   a contacts module 137 (sometimes called an address book or        contact list);    -   a telephone module 138;    -   a video conferencing module 139;    -   an e-mail client module 140;    -   an instant messaging (IM) module 141;    -   a game module 142;    -   a camera module 143 for still and/or video images;    -   an image management module 144;    -   a video player module 145;    -   a music player module 146;    -   a browser module 147;    -   a calendar module 148;    -   widget modules 149, which may include weather widget 149-1,        stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 149-3, alarm clock widget        149-4, dictionary widget 149-5, and other widgets obtained by        the user, as well as user-created widgets 149-6;    -   widget creator module 150 for making user-created widgets 149-6;    -   search module 151;    -   video and music player module 152, which merges video player        module 145 and music player module 146;    -   notes module 153; and/or    -   map module 154; and/or    -   online video module 155.

Examples of other applications 136 that may be stored in memory 102include other word processing applications, JAVA-enabled applications,encryption, digital rights management, voice recognition, and voicereplication.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, the contactsmodule 137 may be used to manage an address book or contact list,including: adding name(s) to the address book; deleting name(s) from theaddress book; associating telephone number(s), e-mail address(es),physical address(es) or other information with a name; associating animage with a name; categorizing and sorting names; providing telephonenumbers or e-mail addresses to initiate and/or facilitate communicationsby telephone 138, video conference 139, e-mail 140, or IM 141; and soforth.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, contact module130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, the telephonemodule 138 may be used to enter a sequence of characters correspondingto a telephone number, access one or more telephone numbers in theaddress book 137, modify a telephone number that has been entered, diala respective telephone number, conduct a conversation and disconnect orhang up when the conversation is completed. As noted above, the wirelesscommunication may use any of a plurality of communications standards,protocols and technologies.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, optical sensor164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130, graphics module132, text input module 134, contact list 137, and telephone module 138,the videoconferencing module 139 may be used to initiate, conduct, andterminate a video conference between a user and one or more otherparticipants.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, the e-mail client module 140 may be used to create, send,receive, and manage e-mail. In conjunction with image management module144, the e-mail module 140 makes it very easy to create and send e-mailswith still or video images taken with camera module 143.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, the instant messaging module 141 may be used to enter asequence of characters corresponding to an instant message, to modifypreviously entered characters, to transmit a respective instant message(for example, using a Short Message Service (SMS) or Multimedia MessageService (MMS) protocol for telephony-based instant messages or usingXMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-based instant messages), to receiveinstant messages and to view received instant messages. In someembodiments, transmitted and/or received instant messages may includegraphics, photos, audio files, video files and/or other attachments asare supported in a MMS and/or an Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS). Asused herein, “instant messaging” refers to both telephony-based messages(e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) and Internet-based messages(e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, image management module 144, and browsing module 147, thegame module 142 may be used to play online games (e.g., multiplayergames) and/or offline games.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, opticalsensor(s) 164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130,graphics module 132, and image management module 144, the camera module143 may be used to capture still images or video (including a videostream) and store them into memory 102, modify characteristics of astill image or video, or delete a still image or video from memory 102.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, and cameramodule 143, the image management module 144 may be used to arrange,modify or otherwise manipulate, label, delete, present (e.g., in adigital slide show or album), and store still and/or video images.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, and speaker 111,the video player module 145 may be used to display, present or otherwiseplay back videos (e.g., on the touch screen or on an external, connecteddisplay via external port 124).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, and browser module 147, the music player module146 allows the user to download and play back recorded music and othersound files stored in one or more file formats, such as MP3 or AACfiles. In some embodiments, the device 100 may include the functionalityof an MP3 player, such as an iPod (trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, the browser module 147 may be used to browse the Internet,including searching, linking to, receiving, and displaying web pages orportions thereof, as well as attachments and other files linked to webpages.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, e-mail module 140, and browser module 147, the calendarmodule 148 may be used to create, display, modify, and store calendarsand data associated with calendars (e.g., calendar entries, to do lists,etc.).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, the widget modules 149 aremini-applications that may be downloaded and used by a user (e.g.,weather widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 149-3,alarm clock widget 149-4, and dictionary widget 149-5) or created by theuser (e.g., user-created widget 149-6). In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS (CascadingStyle Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file and a JavaScript file(e.g., Yahoo! Widgets).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, the widget creator module 150 may beused by a user to create widgets (e.g., turning a user-specified portionof a web page into a widget).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, thesearch module 151 may be used to search for text, music, sound, image,video, and/or other files in memory 102 that match one or more searchcriteria (e.g., one or more user-specified search terms).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, the notesmodule 153 may be used to create and manage notes, to do lists, and thelike.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, and browser module 147, the map module 154may be used to receive, display, modify, and store maps and dataassociated with maps (e.g., driving directions; data on stores and otherpoints of interest at or near a particular location; and otherlocation-based data).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, text input module 134, e-mail client module 140,and browser module 147, the online video module 155 allows the user toaccess, browse, receive (e.g., by streaming and/or download), play back(e.g., on the touch screen or on an external, connected display viaexternal port 124), send an e-mail with a link to a particular onlinevideo, and otherwise manage online videos in one or more file formats,such as H.264. In some embodiments, instant messaging module 141, ratherthan e-mail client module 140, is used to send a link to a particularonline video. Additional description of the online video application canbe found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/968,067, “PortableMultifunction Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for PlayingOnline Videos,” filed Dec. 31, 2007, and U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/968,067, “Portable Multifunction Device, Method, and GraphicalUser Interface for Playing Online Videos,” filed Dec. 31, 2007, thecontent of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to aset of instructions for performing one or more functions describedabove. These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need not beimplemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, andthus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwisere-arranged in various embodiments. For example, video player module 145may be combined with music player module 146 into a single module (e.g.,video and music player module 152, FIG. 1B). In some embodiments, memory102 may store a subset of the modules and data structures identifiedabove. Furthermore, memory 102 may store additional modules and datastructures not described above.

In some embodiments, the device 100 is a device where operation of apredefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen 112 and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screenand/or a touchpad as the primary input/control device for operation ofthe device 100, the number of physical input/control devices (such aspush buttons, dials, and the like) on the device 100 may be reduced.

The predefined set of functions that may be performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad include navigation between userinterfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by the user,navigates the device 100 to a main, home, or root menu from any userinterface that may be displayed on the device 100. In such embodiments,the touchpad may be referred to as a “menu button.” In some otherembodiments, the menu button may be a physical push button or otherphysical input/control device instead of a touchpad.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device 100 having a touchscreen 112 in accordance with some embodiments. The touch screen maydisplay one or more graphics within user interface (UI) 200. In thisembodiment, as well as others described below, a user may select one ormore of the graphics by making contact or touching the graphics, forexample, with one or more fingers 202 (not drawn to scale in thefigure). In some embodiments, selection of one or more graphics occurswhen the user breaks contact with the one or more graphics. In someembodiments, the contact may include a gesture, such as one or moretaps, one or more swipes (from left to right, right to left, upwardand/or downward) and/or a rolling of a finger (from right to left, leftto right, upward and/or downward) that has made contact with the device100. In some embodiments, inadvertent contact with a graphic may notselect the graphic. For example, a swipe gesture that sweeps over anapplication icon may not select the corresponding application when thegesture corresponding to selection is a tap.

The device 100 may also include one or more physical buttons, such as“home” or menu button 204. As described previously, the menu button 204may be used to navigate to any application 136 in a set of applicationsthat may be executed on the device 100. Alternatively, in someembodiments, the menu button is implemented as a soft key in a GUI intouch screen 112.

In one embodiment, the device 100 includes a touch screen 112, a menubutton 204, a push button 206 for powering the device on/off and lockingthe device, volume adjustment button(s) 208, a Subscriber IdentityModule (SIM) card slot 210, a head set jack 212, and a docking/chargingexternal port 124. The push button 206 may be used to turn the poweron/off on the device by depressing the button and holding the button inthe depressed state for a predefined time interval; to lock the deviceby depressing the button and releasing the button before the predefinedtime interval has elapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate anunlock process. In an alternative embodiment, the device 100 also mayaccept verbal input for activation or deactivation of some functionsthrough the microphone 113.

Attention is now directed towards embodiments of user interfaces (“UI”)and associated processes that may be implemented on a portablemultifunction device 100.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate exemplary user interfaces for unlocking aportable electronic device in accordance with some embodiments. In someembodiments, user interface 300A includes the following elements, or asubset or superset thereof:

-   -   Unlock image 302 that is moved with a finger gesture to unlock        the device;    -   Arrow 304 that provides a visual cue to the unlock gesture;    -   Channel 306 that provides additional cues to the unlock gesture;    -   Time 308;    -   Day 310;    -   Date 312; and    -   Wallpaper image 314.

In some embodiments, in addition to or in place of wallpaper image 314,an unlock user interface may include a device charging status icon 316and a headset charging status icon 318 (e.g., UI 300B, FIG. 3B). Thedevice charging status icon 316 indicates the battery status while thedevice 100 is being recharged (e.g., in a dock). Similarly, headsetcharging status icon 318 indicates the battery status of a headsetassociated with device 100 (e.g., a Bluetooth headset) while the headsetis being recharged (e.g., in another portion of the dock).

In some embodiments, the device detects contact with the touch-sensitivedisplay (e.g., a user's finger making contact on or near the unlockimage 302) while the device is in a user-interface lock state. Thedevice moves the unlock image 302 in accordance with the contact. Thedevice transitions to a user-interface unlock state if the detectedcontact corresponds to a predefined gesture, such as moving the unlockimage across channel 306. Conversely, the device maintains theuser-interface lock state if the detected contact does not correspond tothe predefined gesture. This process saves battery power by ensuringthat the device is not accidentally awakened. This process is easy forusers to perform, in part because of the visual cue(s) provided on thetouch screen.

In some embodiments, after detecting an unlock gesture, the devicedisplays a passcode (or password) interface (e.g., UI 300C, FIG. 3C) forentering a passcode to complete the unlock process. The addition of apasscode protects against unauthorized use of the device. In someembodiments, the passcode interface includes an emergency call icon thatpermits an emergency call (e.g., to 911) without entering the passcode.In some embodiments, the use of a passcode is a user-selectable option(e.g., part of settings 412).

As noted above, processes that use gestures on the touch screen tounlock the device are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/322,549, “Unlocking A Device By Performing Gestures On An UnlockImage,” filed Dec. 23, 2005, and Ser. No. 11/322,550, “Indication OfProgress Towards Satisfaction Of A User Input Condition,” filed Dec. 23,2005, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate exemplary user interfaces for a menu ofapplications on a portable multifunction device in accordance with someembodiments. In some embodiments, user interface 400A includes thefollowing elements, or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   Signal strength indicator(s) 402 for wireless communication(s),        such as cellular and Wi-Fi signals;    -   Time 404;    -   Bluetooth indicator 405;    -   Battery status indicator 406;    -   Tray 408 with icons for frequently used applications, such as:        -   Phone 138, which may include an indicator 414 of the number            of missed calls or voicemail messages;        -   E-mail client 140, which may include an indicator 410 of the            number of unread e-mails;        -   Browser 147; and        -   Music player 146; and    -   Icons for other applications, such as:        -   IM 141;        -   Image management 144;        -   Camera 143;        -   Video player 145;        -   Weather 149-1;        -   Stocks 149-2;        -   Game 142;        -   Calendar 148;        -   Calculator 149-3;        -   Alarm clock 149-4;        -   Dictionary 149-5; and        -   User-created widget 149-6.

In some embodiments, user interface 400B includes the followingelements, or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   402, 404, 405, 406, 141, 148, 144, 143, 149-3, 149-2, 149-1,        149-4, 410, 414, 138, 140, and 147, as described above;    -   Map 154;    -   Notes 153;    -   Settings 412, which provides access to settings for the device        100 and its various applications 136, as described further        below;    -   Video and music player module 152, also referred to as iPod        (trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.) module 152; and    -   Online video module 155, also referred to as YouTube (trademark        of Google, Inc.) module 155.

In some embodiments, UI 400A or 400B displays all of the availableapplications 136 on one screen so that there is no need to scrollthrough a list of applications (e.g., via a scroll bar). In someembodiments, as the number of applications increase, the iconscorresponding to the applications may decrease in size so that allapplications may be displayed on a single screen without scrolling. Insome embodiments, having all applications on one screen and a menubutton enables a user to access any desired application with at most twoinputs, such as activating the menu button 204 and then activating thedesired application (e.g., by a tap or other finger gesture on the iconcorresponding to the application). In some embodiments, a predefinedgesture on the menu button 204 (e.g., a double tap or a double click)acts as a short cut that initiates display of a particular userinterface in a particular application. In some embodiments, the shortcut is a user-selectable option (e.g., part of settings 412). Forexample, if the user makes frequent calls to persons listed in aFavorites UI (e.g., UI 2700A, FIG. 27A) in the phone 138, the user maychoose to have the Favorites UI be displayed in response to a doubleclick on the menu button. As another example, the user may choose tohave a UI with information about the currently playing music (e.g., UI4300S, FIG. 43S) be displayed in response to a double click on the menubutton.

In some embodiments, UI 400A or 400B provides integrated access to bothwidget-based applications and non-widget-based applications. In someembodiments, all of the widgets, whether user-created or not, aredisplayed in UI 400A or 400B. In other embodiments, activating the iconfor user-created widget 149-6 may lead to another UI that contains theuser-created widgets or icons corresponding to the user-created widgets.

In some embodiments, a user may rearrange the icons in UI 400A or 400B,e.g., using processes described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/459,602, “Portable Electronic Device With Interface ReconfigurationMode,” filed Jul. 24, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety. For example, a user may move application icons in and outof tray 408 using finger gestures.

In some embodiments, a signal strength indicator 402 (FIG. 4B) for aWiFi network is replaced by a symbol for a cellular network (e.g., theletter “E” for an EDGE network, FIG. 4A) when the device switches fromusing the WiFi network to using the cellular network for datatransmission (e.g., because the WiFi signal is weak or unavailable).

FIGS. 5A-5L illustrate exemplary user interfaces for navigating in athree-dimensional virtual space and manipulating three-dimensionalvirtual objects in the virtual space in accordance with someembodiments.

In some embodiments, UIs 500A-500L (FIGS. 5A-5L) include the followingelements, or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   402, 404, and 406, as described above;    -   a perspective 502 in a three-dimensional virtual space; and    -   three-dimensional virtual objects 504.

The user interfaces in FIGS. 5A-5L are used to illustrate the processesdescribed below with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIGS. 6A-6M are flow diagrams illustrating a method 6000 of navigatingin a three-dimensional virtual space and manipulating three-dimensionalvirtual objects in the virtual space in accordance with someembodiments.

The method 6000 is performed at an electronic device with a touch screendisplay. In some embodiments, the method 6000 is performed at a portablemultifunction device with a touch screen display (e.g., portablemultifunction device 100). In some embodiments, the portable electronicdevice is a multifunction device with a game application (e.g., game142, FIG. 4A). In some embodiments, the touch screen display 112 is acapacitive touch screen display. In some embodiments, the touch screendisplay is a projected mutual capacitive touch screen display.

The method 6000 provides an efficient and intuitive way for a user tonavigate in a three-dimensional virtual space and manipulatethree-dimensional virtual objects in the virtual space with simplefinger gestures.

The device displays (6002) a first perspective in a three-dimensionalvirtual space on the touch screen display (e.g., perspective 502-1, FIG.5A). The three-dimensional virtual space includes a plurality ofthree-dimensional virtual objects (e.g., objects 504-1-504-5 in FIG. 5Aand objects 504-6-504-8 in FIG. 5F). Typically, only a subset of thethree-dimensional virtual objects in the three-dimensional virtual spaceare simultaneously displayed on the touch screen display. As usedherein, a “three-dimensional” virtual object means that the virtualobject appears to have a length, width, and depth when displayed on thetwo-dimensional touch screen display.

The device detects (6004) a first finger gesture on a firstthree-dimensional virtual object in the plurality of three-dimensionalobjects (e.g., gesture 506 on object 504-1, FIG. 5A).

In some embodiments, the first finger gesture 506 is a tap gesture(6006). In some embodiments, the tap gesture is a double tap with asingle finger (6008). In some embodiments, the tap gesture is a doubletap with two fingers, a single tap with a single finger, or a single tapwith two fingers (6010).

In some embodiments, the first three-dimensional virtual object 504 isan icon (6012). In some embodiments, the first three-dimensional virtualobject is a virtual game object (6014). In some embodiments, the firstthree-dimensional virtual object is a virtual game character (6016).

In response to detecting the first finger gesture on the firstthree-dimensional virtual object, the device displays (6018) an animatedtransition from the first perspective to a second perspective in thethree-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display (e.g., ananimated transition from perspective 502-1, FIG. 5A, to perspective502-2, FIG. 5B). The animated transition includes enlarging andcentering (or substantially centering) the first three-dimensionalvirtual object on the touch screen display in the second perspective inthe three-dimensional virtual space. For example, object 504-1 isenlarged and substantially centered in perspective 502-2, FIG. 5B. Thesecond perspective 502-2 is different from the first perspective 502-1.

In some embodiments, enlarging and centering (or substantiallycentering) the first three-dimensional virtual object comprisessimultaneously zooming and translating (6020) the firstthree-dimensional virtual object on the touch screen display.

In some embodiments, enlarging the first three-dimensional virtualobject comprises expanding (6022) the first three-dimensional virtualobject so that the width of the first three-dimensional virtual objectis at least a predetermined percentage of the width of the touch screendisplay (e.g., 50, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95%).

In some embodiments, the device detects (6024) a second finger gestureon the enlarged first three-dimensional virtual object (e.g., gesture508 on object 504-1, FIG. 5B). In some embodiments, the second fingergesture is a tap gesture (6026). In some embodiments, the tap gesture isa double tap with a single finger (6028). In some embodiments, the tapgesture is a double tap with two fingers, a single tap with a singlefinger, or a single tap with two fingers (6030).

In some embodiments, in response to detecting the second finger gesture,the first three-dimensional virtual object is reduced (6032) in size onthe touch screen display. For example, object 504-1 is reduced in sizein FIG. 5C relative to its size in FIG. 5B. In some embodiments, noadditional finger gestures are detected (6034) on the touch screendisplay between detecting the first finger gesture 506 and detecting thesecond finger gesture 508. In some embodiments, the firstthree-dimensional virtual object returns (6036) to its size on the touchscreen display prior to being enlarged. For example, object 504-1returns to its size on the touch screen display prior to being enlargedin FIG. 5E. In some embodiments, the second finger gesture and the firstfinger gesture are the same type of finger gesture (6038).

In some embodiments, in response to detecting the second finger gesture508, an animated transition is displayed (6040) from the secondperspective to the first perspective in the three-dimensional virtualspace on the touch screen display (e.g., from perspective 502-2, FIG. 5Bto perspective 502-1, FIG. 5E). In some embodiments, the firstthree-dimensional virtual object returns (6042) to its size and positionon the touch screen display prior to being enlarged.

In some embodiments, the device detects (6044) a third finger gesture(e.g., gesture 510, FIG. 5B) different from the first finger gesture onthe enlarged first three-dimensional virtual object (e.g., the firstfinger gesture 506 is a double tap with a single finger and the thirdfinger gesture 510 is a single or double tap with two fingers). In someembodiments, no additional finger gestures are detected (6046) on thetouch screen display between detecting the first finger gesture 506 anddetecting the third finger gesture 510. In response to detecting thethird finger gesture, the device performs (6048) a function associatedwith the first three-dimensional virtual object. For example, if thefirst three-dimensional virtual object is an icon, the device launchesand/or displays an application, opens a window, or executes a commandassociated with the first three-dimensional virtual object. For example,if the first three-dimensional virtual object is a game object, thedevice executes a predefined command associated with the game object,such as moving the game object in the three-dimensional virtual space.

In some embodiments, while the first three-dimensional virtual object isenlarged, the device detects (6050) a fourth finger gesture on a secondthree-dimensional virtual object other than the first three-dimensionalvirtual object (e.g., gesture 512 on object 504-2, FIG. 5B). In someembodiments, the fourth finger gesture 512 and the first finger gesture506 are the same type of finger gesture (6052). In some embodiments, thefourth finger gesture 512 is a tap gesture (6054). In some embodiments,the tap gesture is a double tap with a single finger (6056). In someembodiments, the tap gesture is a double tap with two fingers, a singletap with a single finger, or a single tap with two fingers (6058).

In response to detecting the fourth finger gesture 512, an animatedtransition to a third perspective in the three-dimensional virtual spaceis displayed (6060) on the touch screen display (e.g., from perspective502-2, FIG. 5B to perspective 502-3, FIG. 5D). The animated transitionincludes enlarging and centering (or substantially centering) the secondthree-dimensional virtual object on the touch screen display in thethird perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space. For example,object 504-2 is enlarged and substantially centered in perspective502-3, FIG. 5D. The third perspective is different from the secondperspective.

In some embodiments, the device detects (6062) a single finger swipegesture on the touch screen display (e.g., gesture 514, FIG. 5E). Insome embodiments, no additional finger gestures are detected (6064) onthe touch screen display between detecting the second finger gesture 508(FIG. 5B) and detecting the single finger swipe gesture 514 (FIG. 5E).

In response to detecting the single finger swipe gesture 514, ananimated transition is displayed (6066) from the first perspective(e.g., perspective 502-1, FIG. 5E) to a fourth perspective in thethree-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display (e.g.,perspective 502-4, FIG. 5F). The fourth perspective 502-4 is differentfrom the first perspective 502-1. In some embodiments, the animatedtransition from the first perspective to the fourth perspective includes(6068) vertical, horizontal, or diagonal panning from the firstperspective to the fourth perspective in the three-dimensional virtualspace on the touch screen display. In some embodiments, the animatedtransition from the first perspective to the fourth perspective is(6070) a vertical panning rather than a diagonal panning from the firstperspective to the fourth perspective if the single finger swipe gestureinitially moves within a predetermined angle (e.g., 27°, or a value inthe range of 10-30°) of being perfectly vertical with respect to thetouch screen display. In some embodiments, the animated transition fromthe first perspective to the fourth perspective is (6072) a horizontalpanning rather than a diagonal panning from the first perspective to thefourth perspective if the single finger swipe gesture initially moveswithin a predetermined angle (e.g., 27°, or a value in the range of10-30°) of being perfectly horizontal with respect to the touch screendisplay.

In some embodiments, the device detects (6074) a fifth finger gesture ona third three-dimensional virtual object displayed in the fourthperspective (e.g., gesture 516 on object 504-8, FIG. 5F). In response todetecting the fifth finger gesture 516, an animated transition isdisplayed (6076) to a fifth perspective in the three-dimensional virtualspace on the touch screen display (e.g., an animated transition fromperspective 502-4, FIG. 5F, to perspective 502-5, FIG. 5G). The animatedtransition includes enlarging and centering (or substantially centering)the third three-dimensional virtual object on the touch screen displayin the fifth perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space. Forexample, object 504-8 is enlarged and substantially centered inperspective 502-5, FIG. 5G. The fifth perspective 502-5 is differentfrom the fourth perspective 502-4.

In some embodiments, the device detects (6078) a sixth finger gesture onthe enlarged first three-dimensional virtual object (e.g., gesture 518on object 504-1, FIG. 5B). In some embodiments, the sixth finger gestureis a single finger gesture (6080). In some embodiments, the sixth fingergesture is a multi-finger gesture (6082). In some embodiments, the sixthfinger gesture is a twisting gesture (6084).

In response to detecting the sixth finger gesture 518, the firstthree-dimensional virtual object is rotated (6086) on the touch screendisplay while display of the second perspective 502-2 in thethree-dimensional virtual space is maintained. For example, in responseto detecting gesture 518 (FIG. 5B), object 504-1 is rotated whiledisplay of the second perspective 502-2 in the three-dimensional virtualspace is maintained (FIG. 5H).

In some embodiments, the device detects (6088) a change in orientationof the device. In response to detecting the change in orientation of thedevice, an animated transition is displayed (6090) from the secondperspective to another perspective in the three-dimensional virtualspace on the touch screen display in accordance with the detected changein orientation of the device.

In some embodiments, the device detects (6092) a multi-finger de-pinchgesture on the first three-dimensional virtual object (e.g., gesture 520on object 504-1, FIG. 5B). In response to detecting the multi-fingerde-pinch gesture 520, the first three-dimensional virtual object isenlarged (6094) on the touch screen display in accordance with aposition of the multi-finger de-pinch gesture and an amount of fingermovement in the multi-finger de-pinch gesture. For example, object 504-1is enlarged in size in FIG. 5I relative to its size in FIG. 5B.

In some embodiments, the device detects (6096) a multi-finger swipegesture on the enlarged first three-dimensional virtual object (e.g.,gesture 522 on object 504-1 in FIG. 5J or gesture 524 on object 504-1 inFIG. 5K). In some embodiments, the multi-finger swipe gesture is (6098)a two-finger swipe gesture (e.g., the touch screen detects a swipegesture by the index and middle fingers). In some embodiments, noadditional finger gestures are detected (6100) on the touch screendisplay between detecting the first finger gesture 506 and detecting themulti-finger swipe gesture.

In response to detecting the multi-finger swipe gesture: if themulti-finger swipe gesture initially moves within a predetermined angle(e.g., 27°, or a value in the range of 10-30°) of being perfectlyvertical with respect to the touch screen display (e.g., gesture 522,FIG. 5J), the device displays (6102) an animated rotation of the firstthree-dimensional virtual object 504-1 about a horizontal axis withrespect to the touch screen display while maintaining display of thesecond perspective 502-2 in the three-dimensional virtual space; and ifthe multi-finger swipe gesture initially moves within a predeterminedangle (e.g., 27°, or a value in the range of 10-30°) of being perfectlyhorizontal with respect to the touch screen display (e.g., gesture 524,FIG. 5K), the device displays an animated rotation of the firstthree-dimensional virtual object 504-1 about a vertical axis withrespect to the touch screen display while maintaining display of thesecond perspective 502-2 in the three-dimensional virtual space.

In some embodiments, the horizontal axis runs through (6104) the firstthree-dimensional virtual object (e.g., axis 528, FIG. 5J). In someembodiments, the horizontal axis runs through (6106) the center of thefirst three-dimensional virtual object (e.g., axis 526, FIG. 5J). Insome embodiments, the horizontal axis does not run through (6108) thefirst three-dimensional virtual object (e.g., axis 530, FIG. 5J).

In some embodiments, the vertical axis runs through (6110) the firstthree-dimensional virtual object (e.g., axis 534, FIG. 5K). In someembodiments, the vertical axis runs through (6112) the center of thefirst three-dimensional virtual object (e.g., axis 532, FIG. 5K). Insome embodiments, the vertical axis does not run through (6114) thefirst three-dimensional virtual object (e.g., axis 536, FIG. 5K).

In some embodiments, in response to detecting the multi-finger swipegesture, if the multi-finger swipe gesture initially moves within apredetermined range of angles with respect to the touch screen display(e.g., gesture 538, FIG. 5L, initially moves between 27° and 63° ofbeing perfectly vertical with respect to the touch screen display), thedevice displays (6116) an animated rotation of the firstthree-dimensional virtual object 504-1 about an axis (e.g., axis 540,axis 542, or axis 544 in FIG. 5L) in the plane of the touch screendisplay that is perpendicular to the direction of movement of themulti-finger swipe gesture while maintaining display of the secondperspective 502-2 in the three-dimensional virtual space.

A graphical user interface on a portable electronic device with a touchscreen display includes a three-dimensional virtual space that includesa plurality of three-dimensional virtual objects 504. In response todetecting a first finger gesture (e.g., gesture 506, FIG. 5A) on a firstthree-dimensional virtual object (e.g., object 504-1, FIG. 5A) in theplurality of three-dimensional objects, an animated transition from afirst perspective (e.g., 502-1, FIG. 5A) to a second perspective (e.g.,502-2, FIG. 5B) in the three-dimensional virtual space is displayed onthe touch screen display. The animated transition includes enlarging andcentering (or substantially centering) the first three-dimensionalvirtual object on the touch screen display in the second perspective inthe three-dimensional virtual space. The second perspective is differentfrom the first perspective.

While the process 6000 described above includes a number of operationsthat appear to occur in a specific order, it should be apparent that theprocess 6000 can include more or fewer operations, which can be executedserially or in parallel (e.g., using parallel processors or amulti-threading environment), an order of two or more operations may bechanged and/or two or more operations may be combined into a singleoperation.

FIGS. 7A-7C are flow diagrams illustrating a method of rotating athree-dimensional virtual object in a three-dimensional virtual space inaccordance with some embodiments.

The method 7000 is performed at an electronic device with a touch screendisplay. In some embodiments, the method 7000 is performed at a portablemultifunction device with a touch screen display (e.g., portablemultifunction device 100). In some embodiments, the portable electronicdevice is a multifunction device with a game application (e.g., game142, FIG. 4A). In some embodiments, the touch screen display 112 is acapacitive touch screen display. In some embodiments, the touch screendisplay is a projected mutual capacitive touch screen display.

The method 7000 provides an efficient and intuitive way for a user torotate a three-dimensional virtual object in a three-dimensional virtualspace with simple finger gestures.

The device displays (7002) a first perspective in a three-dimensionalvirtual space on the touch screen display (e.g., perspective 502-2 inFIG. 5J, 5K, or 5L). The three-dimensional virtual space includes aplurality of three-dimensional virtual objects 504.

The device detects (7004) a multi-finger swipe gesture on a firstthree-dimensional virtual object in the plurality of three-dimensionalvirtual objects (e.g., gesture 522 on object 504-1 in FIG. 5J or gesture524 on object 504-1 in FIG. 5K). In some embodiments, the multi-fingerswipe gesture is (7006) a two-finger swipe gesture (e.g., the touchscreen detects a swipe gesture by the index and middle fingers).

In response to detecting the multi-finger swipe gesture: if themulti-finger swipe gesture initially moves within a predetermined angle(e.g., 27°, or a value in the range of 10-30°) of being perfectlyvertical with respect to the touch screen display (e.g., gesture 522,FIG. 5J), the device displays (7008) an animated rotation of the firstthree-dimensional virtual object 504-1 about a horizontal axis withrespect to the touch screen display while maintaining display of thefirst perspective 502-2 in the three-dimensional virtual space; and ifthe multi-finger swipe gesture initially moves within a predeterminedangle (e.g., 27°, or a value in the range of 10-30°) of being perfectlyhorizontal with respect to the touch screen display (e.g., gesture 524,FIG. 5K), the device displays an animated rotation of the firstthree-dimensional virtual object 504-1 about a vertical axis withrespect to the touch screen display while maintaining display of thefirst perspective 502-2 in the three-dimensional virtual space.

In some embodiments, the horizontal axis runs through (7010) the firstthree-dimensional virtual object (e.g., axis 528, FIG. 5J). In someembodiments, the horizontal axis runs through (7012) the center of thefirst three-dimensional virtual object (e.g., axis 526, FIG. 5J). Insome embodiments, the horizontal axis does not run through (7014) thefirst three-dimensional virtual object (e.g., axis 530, FIG. 5J).

In some embodiments, the vertical axis runs through (7016) the firstthree-dimensional virtual object (e.g., axis 534, FIG. 5K). In someembodiments, the vertical axis runs through (7018) the center of thefirst three-dimensional virtual object (e.g., axis 532, FIG. 5K). Insome embodiments, the vertical axis does not run through (7020) thefirst three-dimensional virtual object (e.g., axis 536, FIG. 5K).

In some embodiments, in response to detecting the multi-finger swipegesture, if the multi-finger swipe gesture initially moves within apredetermined range of angles with respect to the touch screen display(e.g., gesture 538, FIG. 5L, initially moves between 27° and 63° ofbeing perfectly vertical with respect to the touch screen display), thedevice displays (7022) an animated rotation of the firstthree-dimensional virtual object about an axis (e.g., axis 540, axis542, or axis 544 in FIG. 5L) in the plane of the touch screen displaythat is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the multi-fingerswipe gesture while maintaining display of the first perspective in thethree-dimensional virtual space.

A graphical user interface on a portable electronic device with a touchscreen display includes a first perspective (e.g., perspective 502-2 inFIGS. 5J-5L) in a three-dimensional virtual space that includes aplurality of three-dimensional virtual objects 504. In response todetecting a multi-finger swipe gesture on a first three-dimensionalvirtual object in the plurality of three-dimensional objects: if themulti-finger swipe gesture initially moves within a predetermined angle(e.g., 27°, or a value in the range of 10-30°) of being perfectlyvertical with respect to the touch screen display (e.g., gesture 522,FIG. 5J), an animated rotation of the first three-dimensional virtualobject about a horizontal axis with respect to the touch screen displayis displayed while maintaining display of the first perspective in thethree-dimensional virtual space; and if the multi-finger swipe gestureinitially moves within a predetermined angle (e.g., 27°, or a value inthe range of 10-30°) of being perfectly horizontal with respect to thetouch screen display (e.g., gesture 524, FIG. 5K), an animated rotationof the first three-dimensional virtual object about a vertical axis withrespect to the touch screen display is displayed while maintainingdisplay of the first perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical applications, to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention andvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: at aportable electronic device with a touch screen display: displaying afirst perspective in a three-dimensional virtual space on the touchscreen display, wherein the three-dimensional virtual space includes aplurality of three-dimensional virtual objects; detecting a first fingertap gesture on a first three-dimensional virtual object in the pluralityof three-dimensional objects; in response to detecting the first fingertap gesture on the first three-dimensional virtual object, displaying ananimated transition from the first perspective to a second perspectivein the three-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display,wherein the animated transition includes enlarging and substantiallycentering the first three-dimensional virtual object on the touch screendisplay in the second perspective in the three-dimensional virtualspace, wherein the second perspective is different from the firstperspective; while the first three-dimensional virtual object isenlarged, detecting a second finger tap gesture on a secondthree-dimensional virtual object other than the first three-dimensionalvirtual object; in response to detecting the second finger tap gesture,displaying an animated transition to a third perspective in thethree-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display, wherein theanimated transition includes enlarging and substantially centering thesecond three-dimensional virtual object on the touch screen display inthe third perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space, whereinthe third perspective is different from the second perspective;detecting a third finger tap gesture on the enlarged firstthree-dimensional virtual object; and in response to detecting the thirdfinger tap gesture, reducing in size the first three-dimensional virtualobject on the touch screen display.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first finger tap gesture is a double tap with a single finger. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the first finger tap gesture is a doubletap with two fingers, a single tap with a single finger, or a single tapwith two fingers.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein no additional fingergestures are detected on the touch screen display between detecting thefirst finger tap gesture and detecting the third finger tap gesture. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein, in response to detecting the thirdfinger tap gesture, the first three-dimensional virtual object returnsto its size on the touch screen display prior to being enlarged.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, including: detecting a fourth finger gesturedifferent from the first finger tap gesture on the enlarged firstthree-dimensional virtual object; and in response to detecting thefourth finger gesture, performing a function associated with the firstthree-dimensional virtual object.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein noadditional finger gestures are detected on the touch screen displaybetween detecting the first finger tap gesture and detecting the fourthfinger gesture.
 8. The method of claim 1, including: detecting a singlefinger swipe gesture on the touch screen display; and in response todetecting the single finger swipe gesture, displaying an animatedtransition from the first perspective to a fourth perspective in thethree-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display, wherein thefourth perspective is different from the first perspective.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein no additional finger gestures are detected onthe touch screen display between detecting the third finger gesture anddetecting the single finger swipe gesture.
 10. The method of claim 8,wherein the animated transition from the first perspective to the fourthperspective is a vertical panning rather than a diagonal panning fromthe first perspective to the fourth perspective if the single fingerswipe gesture initially moves within a predetermined angle of beingperfectly vertical with respect to the touch screen display.
 11. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the animated transition from the firstperspective to the fourth perspective is a horizontal panning ratherthan a diagonal panning from the first perspective to the fourthperspective if the single finger swipe gesture initially moves within apredetermined angle of being perfectly horizontal with respect to thetouch screen display.
 12. The method of claim 8, including: detecting afifth finger gesture on a third three-dimensional virtual objectdisplayed in the fourth perspective; and in response to detecting thefifth finger gesture, displaying an animated transition to a fifthperspective in the three-dimensional virtual space on the touch screendisplay, wherein the animated transition includes enlarging andsubstantially centering the third three-dimensional virtual object onthe touch screen display in the fifth perspective in thethree-dimensional virtual space, wherein the fifth perspective isdifferent from the fourth perspective.
 13. The method of claim 1,including: detecting a sixth finger gesture on the enlarged firstthree-dimensional virtual object; and in response to detecting the sixthfinger gesture, rotating the first three-dimensional virtual object onthe touch screen display while maintaining display of the secondperspective in the three-dimensional virtual space.
 14. The method ofclaim 1, including: detecting a change in orientation of the device; andin response to detecting the change in orientation of the device,displaying an animated transition from the second perspective to anotherperspective in the three-dimensional virtual space on the touch screendisplay in accordance with the detected change in orientation of thedevice.
 15. A portable electronic device, comprising: a touch screendisplay; one or more processors; memory; and one or more programs,wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configuredto be executed by the one or more processors, the programs includinginstructions for: displaying a first perspective in a three-dimensionalvirtual space on the touch screen display, wherein the three-dimensionalvirtual space includes a plurality of three-dimensional virtual objects;detecting a first finger tap gesture on a first three-dimensionalvirtual object in the plurality of three-dimensional objects; inresponse to detecting the first finger tap gesture on the firstthree-dimensional virtual object, displaying an animated transition fromthe first perspective to a second perspective in the three-dimensionalvirtual space on the touch screen display, wherein the animatedtransition includes enlarging and substantially centering the firstthree-dimensional virtual object on the touch screen display in thesecond perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space, wherein thesecond perspective is different from the first perspective; while thefirst three-dimensional virtual object is enlarged, detecting a secondfinger tap gesture on a second three-dimensional virtual object otherthan the first three-dimensional virtual object; in response todetecting the second finger tap gesture, displaying an animatedtransition to a third perspective in the three-dimensional virtual spaceon the touch screen display, wherein the animated transition includesenlarging and substantially centering the second three-dimensionalvirtual object on the touch screen display in the third perspective inthe three-dimensional virtual space, wherein the third perspective isdifferent from the second perspective; detecting a third finger tapgesture on the enlarged first three-dimensional virtual object; and inresponse to detecting the third finger tap gesture, reducing in size thefirst three-dimensional virtual object on the touch screen display. 16.A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereininstructions, which when executed by a portable electronic device with atouch screen display, cause the device to: display a first perspectivein a three-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display,wherein the three-dimensional virtual space includes a plurality ofthree-dimensional virtual objects; detect a first finger tap gesture ona first three-dimensional virtual object in the plurality ofthree-dimensional objects; in response to detecting the first finger tapgesture on the first three-dimensional virtual object, display ananimated transition from the first perspective to a second perspectivein the three-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display,wherein the animated transition includes enlarging and substantiallycentering the first three-dimensional virtual object on the touch screendisplay in the second perspective in the three-dimensional virtualspace, wherein the second perspective is different from the firstperspective; while the first three-dimensional virtual object isenlarged, detect a second finger tap gesture on a secondthree-dimensional virtual object other than the first three-dimensionalvirtual object; in response to detecting the second finger tap gesture,display an animated transition to a third perspective in thethree-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display, wherein theanimated transition includes enlarging and substantially centering thesecond three-dimensional virtual object on the touch screen display inthe third perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space, whereinthe third perspective is different from the second perspective; detect athird finger tap gesture on the enlarged first three-dimensional virtualobject; and in response to detecting the third finger tap gesture,reduce in size the first three-dimensional virtual object on the touchscreen display.
 17. A computer-implemented method, comprising: at aportable electronic device with a touch screen display: displaying afirst perspective in a three-dimensional virtual space on the touchscreen display, wherein the three-dimensional virtual space includes aplurality of three-dimensional virtual objects; detecting a multi-fingerswipe gesture on a first three-dimensional virtual object in theplurality of three-dimensional virtual objects, wherein each finger inthe multi-finger swipe gesture moves in substantially the same lineardirection; and in response to detecting the multi-finger swipe gesture:if the multi-finger swipe gesture initially moves within a predeterminedangle of being perfectly vertical with respect to the touch screendisplay, displaying an animated rotation of the first three-dimensionalvirtual object about a horizontal axis with respect to the touch screendisplay while maintaining display of the first perspective in thethree-dimensional virtual space; and if the multi-finger swipe gestureinitially moves within a predetermined angle of being perfectlyhorizontal with respect to the touch screen display, displaying ananimated rotation of the first three-dimensional virtual object about avertical axis with respect to the touch screen display while maintainingdisplay of the first perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space.18. The method of claim 17, wherein the multi-finger swipe gesture is atwo-finger swipe gesture.
 19. The method of claim 17, including: inresponse to detecting the multi-finger swipe gesture: if themulti-finger swipe gesture initially moves within a predetermined rangeof angles with respect to the touch screen display, displaying ananimated rotation of the first three-dimensional virtual object about anaxis in the plane of the touch screen display that is perpendicular tothe direction of movement of the multi-finger swipe gesture whilemaintaining display of the first perspective in the three-dimensionalvirtual space.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the horizontal axisruns through the first three-dimensional virtual object.
 21. The methodof claim 17, wherein the horizontal axis runs through the center of thefirst three-dimensional virtual object.
 22. The method of claim 17,wherein the horizontal axis does not run through the firstthree-dimensional virtual object.
 23. A portable electronic device,comprising: a touch screen display; one or more processors; memory; andone or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in thememory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, theprograms including instructions for: displaying a first perspective in athree-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display, wherein thethree-dimensional virtual space includes a plurality ofthree-dimensional virtual objects; detecting a multi-finger swipegesture on a first three-dimensional virtual object in the plurality ofthree-dimensional objects, wherein each finger in the multi-finger swipegesture moves in substantially the same linear direction; and inresponse to detecting the multi-finger swipe gesture: if themulti-finger swipe gesture initially moves within a predetermined angleof being perfectly vertical with respect to the touch screen display,displaying an animated rotation of the first three-dimensional virtualobject about a horizontal axis with respect to the touch screen displaywhile maintaining display of the first perspective in thethree-dimensional virtual space; and if the multi-finger swipe gestureinitially moves within a predetermined angle of being perfectlyhorizontal with respect to the touch screen display, displaying ananimated rotation of the first three-dimensional virtual object about avertical axis with respect to the touch screen display while maintainingdisplay of the first perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space.24. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having storedtherein instructions, which when executed by a portable electronicdevice with a touch screen display, cause the device to: display a firstperspective in a three-dimensional virtual space on the touch screendisplay, wherein the three-dimensional virtual space includes aplurality of three-dimensional virtual objects; detect a multi-fingerswipe gesture on a first three-dimensional virtual object in theplurality of three-dimensional objects, wherein each finger in themulti-finger swipe gesture moves in substantially the same lineardirection; and in response to detecting the multi-finger swipe gesture:if the multi-finger swipe gesture initially moves within a predeterminedangle of being perfectly vertical with respect to the touch screendisplay, display an animated rotation of the first three-dimensionalvirtual object about a horizontal axis with respect to the touch screendisplay while maintaining display of the first perspective in thethree-dimensional virtual space; and if the multi-finger swipe gestureinitially moves within a predetermined angle of being perfectlyhorizontal with respect to the touch screen display, display an animatedrotation of the first three-dimensional virtual object about a verticalaxis with respect to the touch screen display while maintaining displayof the first perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space.
 25. Thedevice of claim 23, wherein the multi-finger swipe gesture is atwo-finger swipe gesture.
 26. The device of claim 23, includinginstructions for: in response to detecting the multi-finger swipegesture: if the multi-finger swipe gesture initially moves within apredetermined range of angles with respect to the touch screen display,displaying an animated rotation of the first three-dimensional virtualobject about an axis in the plane of the touch screen display that isperpendicular to the direction of movement of the multi-finger swipegesture while maintaining display of the first perspective in thethree-dimensional virtual space.
 27. The device of claim 23, wherein thehorizontal axis runs through the first three-dimensional virtual object.28. The device of claim 23, wherein the horizontal axis runs through thecenter of the first three-dimensional virtual object.
 29. The device ofclaim 23, wherein the horizontal axis does not run through the firstthree-dimensional virtual object.
 30. The computer readable storagemedium of claim 24, wherein the multi-finger swipe gesture is atwo-finger swipe gesture.
 31. The computer readable storage medium ofclaim 24, including instructions, which when executed by the portableelectronic device with the touch screen display, cause the device to: inresponse to detecting the multi-finger swipe gesture: if themulti-finger swipe gesture initially moves within a predetermined rangeof angles with respect to the touch screen display, display an animatedrotation of the first three-dimensional virtual object about an axis inthe plane of the touch screen display that is perpendicular to thedirection of movement of the multi-finger swipe gesture whilemaintaining display of the first perspective in the three-dimensionalvirtual space.
 32. The computer readable storage medium of claim 24,wherein the horizontal axis runs through the first three-dimensionalvirtual object.
 33. The computer readable storage medium of claim 24,wherein the horizontal axis runs through the center of the firstthree-dimensional virtual object.
 34. The computer readable storagemedium of claim 24, wherein the horizontal axis does not run through thefirst three-dimensional virtual object.
 35. The device of claim 15,wherein the first finger tap gesture is a double tap with a singlefinger.
 36. The device of claim 15, wherein the first finger tap gestureis a double tap with two fingers, a single tap with a single finger, ora single tap with two fingers.
 37. The device of claim 15, wherein noadditional finger gestures are detected on the touch screen displaybetween detecting the first finger tap gesture and detecting the thirdfinger tap gesture.
 38. The device of claim 15, wherein, in response todetecting the third finger tap gesture, the first three-dimensionalvirtual object returns to its size on the touch screen display prior tobeing enlarged.
 39. The device of claim 15, including instructions for:detecting a fourth finger gesture different from the first finger tapgesture on the enlarged first three-dimensional virtual object; and inresponse to detecting the fourth finger gesture, performing a functionassociated with the first three-dimensional virtual object.
 40. Thedevice of claim 39, wherein no additional finger gestures are detectedon the touch screen display between detecting the first finger tapgesture and detecting the fourth finger gesture.
 41. The device of claim15, including instructions for: detecting a single finger swipe gestureon the touch screen display; and in response to detecting the singlefinger swipe gesture, displaying an animated transition from the firstperspective to a fourth perspective in the three-dimensional virtualspace on the touch screen display, wherein the fourth perspective isdifferent from the first perspective.
 42. The device of claim 41,wherein no additional finger gestures are detected on the touch screendisplay between detecting the third finger gesture and detecting thesingle finger swipe gesture.
 43. The device of claim 41, wherein theanimated transition from the first perspective to the fourth perspectiveis a vertical panning rather than a diagonal panning from the firstperspective to the fourth perspective if the single finger swipe gestureinitially moves within a predetermined angle of being perfectly verticalwith respect to the touch screen display.
 44. The device of claim 41,wherein the animated transition from the first perspective to the fourthperspective is a horizontal panning rather than a diagonal panning fromthe first perspective to the fourth perspective if the single fingerswipe gesture initially moves within a predetermined angle of beingperfectly horizontal with respect to the touch screen display.
 45. Thedevice of claim 41, including instructions for: detecting a fifth fingergesture on a third three-dimensional virtual object displayed in thefourth perspective; and in response to detecting the fifth fingergesture, displaying an animated transition to a fifth perspective in thethree-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display, wherein theanimated transition includes enlarging and substantially centering thethird three-dimensional virtual object on the touch screen display inthe fifth perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space, whereinthe fifth perspective is different from the fourth perspective.
 46. Thedevice of claim 15, including instructions for: detecting a sixth fingergesture on the enlarged first three-dimensional virtual object; and inresponse to detecting the sixth finger gesture, rotating the firstthree-dimensional virtual object on the touch screen display whilemaintaining display of the second perspective in the three-dimensionalvirtual space.
 47. The device of claim 15, including instructions for:detecting a change in orientation of the device; and in response todetecting the change in orientation of the device, displaying ananimated transition from the second perspective to another perspectivein the three-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display inaccordance with the detected change in orientation of the device. 48.The computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the firstfinger tap gesture is a double tap with a single finger.
 49. Thecomputer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the first fingertap gesture is a double tap with two fingers, a single tap with a singlefinger, or a single tap with two fingers.
 50. The computer readablestorage medium of claim 16, wherein no additional finger gestures aredetected on the touch screen display between detecting the first fingertap gesture and detecting the third finger tap gesture.
 51. The computerreadable storage medium of claim 16, wherein, in response to detectingthe third finger tap gesture, the first three-dimensional virtual objectreturns to its size on the touch screen display prior to being enlarged.52. The computer readable storage medium of claim 16, includinginstructions, which when executed by the portable electronic device withthe touch screen display, cause the device to: detect a fourth fingergesture different from the first finger tap gesture on the enlargedfirst three-dimensional virtual object; and in response to detecting thefourth finger gesture, perform a function associated with the firstthree-dimensional virtual object.
 53. The computer readable storagemedium of claim 52, wherein no additional finger gestures are detectedon the touch screen display between detecting the first finger tapgesture and detecting the fourth finger gesture.
 54. The computerreadable storage medium of claim 16, including instructions, which whenexecuted by the portable electronic device with the touch screendisplay, cause the device to: detect a single finger swipe gesture onthe touch screen display; and in response to detecting the single fingerswipe gesture, display an animated transition from the first perspectiveto a fourth perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space on thetouch screen display, wherein the fourth perspective is different fromthe first perspective.
 55. The computer readable storage medium of claim54, wherein no additional finger gestures are detected on the touchscreen display between detecting the third finger gesture and detectingthe single finger swipe gesture.
 56. The computer readable storagemedium of claim 54, wherein the animated transition from the firstperspective to the fourth perspective is a vertical panning rather thana diagonal panning from the first perspective to the fourth perspectiveif the single finger swipe gesture initially moves within apredetermined angle of being perfectly vertical with respect to thetouch screen display.
 57. The computer readable storage medium of claim54, wherein the animated transition from the first perspective to thefourth perspective is a horizontal panning rather than a diagonalpanning from the first perspective to the fourth perspective if thesingle finger swipe gesture initially moves within a predetermined angleof being perfectly horizontal with respect to the touch screen display.58. The computer readable storage medium of claim 54, includinginstructions, which when executed by the portable electronic device withthe touch screen display, cause the device to: detect a fifth fingergesture on a third three-dimensional virtual object displayed in thefourth perspective; and in response to detecting the fifth fingergesture, display an animated transition to a fifth perspective in thethree-dimensional virtual space on the touch screen display, wherein theanimated transition includes enlarging and substantially centering thethird three-dimensional virtual object on the touch screen display inthe fifth perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space, whereinthe fifth perspective is different from the fourth perspective.
 59. Thecomputer readable storage medium of claim 16, including instructions,which when executed by the portable electronic device with the touchscreen display, cause the device to: detect a sixth finger gesture onthe enlarged first three-dimensional virtual object; and in response todetecting the sixth finger gesture, rotate the first three-dimensionalvirtual object on the touch screen display while maintaining display ofthe second perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space.
 60. Thecomputer readable storage medium of claim 16, including instructions,which when executed by the portable electronic device with the touchscreen display, cause the device to: detect a change in orientation ofthe device; and in response to detecting the change in orientation ofthe device, display an animated transition from the second perspectiveto another perspective in the three-dimensional virtual space on thetouch screen display in accordance with the detected change inorientation of the device.